Container for storage bins



United States Patent Patented James E. Joyce 878 Darien Circle, Rochester, Michigan 48063 Feb. 1 l, 1969 Nov. 24, 1970 Inventor Appl. No. Filed CONTAINER FOR STORAGE BINS 16 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 312/244; 108/152; 312/20, 312/312; Int. Cl A47b 57/06; A47f 5/08 Field of Search 312/183,

184, 198, 199, 200, 244, 312, 330; 108/152; 244/(lnquired) References Cited UN lTED STATES PATENTS 7/1918 Neill 2/1959 Sola et al. 7/1965 Curry.... 1/1967 Mead 1 5/1968 Saiberlich 10/1969 MacDonald Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney- Barnard, McGlynn and Reisi'ng 108/152X 312/183X 248/223 312/244X 108/152 108/152X ABSTRACT: A container for a plurality of removable storage bins including a vertically slidable rack member adapted to carry the bins in a vertically stacked array. Additional bin support means are disposed on the outer face of the front wall of the container to carry a bin for temporary convenient access.

Patented Nov. 24, 1970 CONTAINER FOR STORAGE BINS This invention relates to storage bins or trays of the type useable to store small articles in batch quantities and more particularly to a container for conveniently and accessibly carrying several such bins in a vertical array.

nails. and various other small'articles may be disposed in the v bins for convenient storage and easy access;

In accordance with the invention a container is provided for receiving and storing in a vertical array several storage pins of the type described. In general. this is accomplished by provid ing the container with a rack member which is slidably disposed within the container proximate and parallclto the rear container wall. The rack member carries on the forward face thereof a plurality of vertically spaced bin support means each of which is adapted to receive a bin in supported engagement therewith.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the front container wall is also provided with at least one bin support means. Accordingly, at least one of the bins normally stored within the container on the rack member'may be removed from the rack member and conveniently and accessibly mounted on the outside of the storage container.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent by readingthefollowing specification which is to be taken with the accompanying drawingsofwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view, with parts broken away, of anillustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view with a portion broken away ofa suitable bin for use in connection with the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another illustrative embodiment of the invention with which the bins of FIG. 2 may be used;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative bin mounting arrangement;

and

FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative bin mounting arrangement.

Referring now to FIG. I a bin container comprises an upstanding rectangular front'wall 12, rear wall 14, and sidewalls 18 and 20, joined atthe lower ends by a rectangular floor (not shown) and terminating at the upper ends in a substantially rectangular opening. Sidewalls l8 and 20 have formed on the inner surfaces thereof vertically extending ribs 22 and 24 which are parallel to but forwardly spaced from the rear wall 14 to define, in combination, a track capable of slidably receiving a planar member therein.

A rack member 26 includes a planar vertical portion 28 and a top or cover portion 3,0 which is integral with the vertical portion 28 but is disposed at right angles thereto. The rock' member 26 is disposed within the container 10 such that the vertical portion 28 slides within the track formed by vertical ribs 22 and 24. Accordingly when either partially or fully inserted into the container the rack member 20 is proximate and parallel to the rear wall 14 of container 10 and is secured against forward displacement by the ribs 22 and 24.

Rack member 26 carries on the forward face of the vertical portion 28 thereofa plurality of vertically spaced and horizontally extending bin support brackets 38. The brackets 38 may have formed from suitable lengths of L-shaped stock having inturned ends which are secured to the forward face of the vertical portion 28 of rack member 26. Alternatively, the rack member 26 may be formed integrally with the bin support brackets 38 by molding asuitable organic polymeric material.

The horizontal portion 30 of rack member 26 is provided vertical a handle 32 to permit the rack member 26 to be easily withdrawn from the container and, in addition, to permit carrying the entire container 10. To this end, the horizontal portion 30 of rack member 26 and the forward wall 14 of the 10 may be provided with suitable latching means 34 and 36, respectively, to latch or lock the rack member 26 within the container 10. In the latched condition, handle 32 may be used to carry the entire assembly including both container 10 and rack member 26, together with any bins mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 shows a bin 40 which maybe employed with the structure shown in FIG, I. Thebin 40 includes a generally flat horizontal bottom 42 joined by generally upstanding front wall 44 and sidewalls 46 and 48. The bin 40 is completed by a rear wall 50 t which as shown in FIG. 2 has formed therein a downwardly opening vertical slot 52 extending laterally across the rear portion ofthe bin 40.

In use, the bin 40 of FIG. 2 may be disposed on a bin support bracket 38 of rack 26 such that the vertical portion of the L-shaped bracket 38 extends upwardly and snugly into the slot .52 of the bin 40. Preferably, the support brackets 38 are formed such that the spacing between the bracket 38 and the forward surface of the vertical portion 28 corresponds to the depth of material between slot 52 and the rearmost surface of bin 40. Accordingly this rearmost surface bears against the forward surface of vertical portion 28 and firmly holds the bin 40 in position. As is apparent from FIG. 1 several bins 40 may be disposed upon the rack member 26 in a vertically stacked array. With the bins secured to the rack member 26 and the rack member fully slidably inserted into the container 10 and the latching mechanism 34-36 engaged, the entire unit may be conveniently carried about by way ofthe handle 32.

When the contents of any given bin in a plurality of bins disposed on rack member. 26 are to be used, it is desirable to remove that particular bin to facilitate access to the contents thereof. So that theremoved bin may not be misplaced or inadvertently jostled about, the forward surface of front wall 12 is provided with an additional bin support bracket 54 which is identical to the bin support members 38 of rack 26. The removed bin may be conveniently mounted on the additional bin support member 54. This provides a handy mounting means for the removed bin and makes the contents thereof conveniently accessible.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative construction for a container 10a and bin support rack 26a. Portions of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 which are similar to portions of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are identified with corresponding reference numerals. As in FIG. 1, a bin support rack insertable is slidably insertable into container 10a proximate and parallel to the rear wall 14 thereof and slidably maintained in position by a pair of track defining ribs 22 and 24. Rack member 26a is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced bin support brackets 38. An additional bin support bracket 54 is disposed on the outer surface of th front wall 12 of container 10a to provide a temporary storage position for a bin removed from rack member 26a. The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is adapted to receive and cooperate with bins 40 of the type shown in FIG. 2.

Whereas the rack member 26 of FIG. 1 includes a horizontal portion 30 defining a cover for the container I0, the FIGJ3 embodiment includes a separate cover 56 which is pivotally secured to the rear wall of container 10a by hinges 58. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the top surface of cover 56 may also be provided with a handle to facilitate transportation of the container 10. The rack member 2612 has formed therein a gripping aperture 62 adjacent to the top edge thereof to permit the rack member-26d to be withdrawn fully or partially. A suitable latch, a portion of which is shown at 60, is employed to latch the pivotal cover 56 to the body of container 10a.

It may be desirable under certain circumstances to maintain the rack member 26a in one of several partially withdrawn conditions relative to container 10a. To this end, a selectively employable latch mechanism may be provided. In FIG. 3 a latch mechanism which may be employed includes a plurality of holes 64 formed in the lateral edge of the rack member 26a and extending horizontally into the rack member. A plurality of vertically spaced holes 66 are also formed in the sidewalls I8 and 20 of the container 100. A suitable pin 68 may be insertable through the holes 66 and into the holes 64 ofthe rack member 26a to maintain the member in any one;of several partially withdrawn positions. Obviously, other selectively employable latch mechanisms may be used.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative means by which the bins 40b may be mounted on the rack member 26 and/or on the front wall of the containcr'lOb, In Fig. 4 the apparatus is illustrated in terms of mounting thebin 40b on the front wall 12 of container 10, however, it is also to be understood that the apparatus employed is also applicable to the mounting arrangement between the bin 40b and the rack member 26. In FIG. 4, the front wall 12 of bin b is provided with a pair of laterally spaced L-shaped pins 70 and 72. Correspondingly, the bottom 42b of bin 40b has formed therein a pair of laterally spaced holes 74 which are dimensioned and spaced to receive the pins 70 and '72 therein. Preferably, the vertical portions of pins 70 and 72 are forwardly spaced from the front wall 12 such that the bin 40!; bears against the front wall to maintain it firmly in position.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative means by which bins 400 may be secured to a rack member 260. In FIG. 5 the rack member 260 is providedwith semicircular opening 80 having a rectangular lateral portion 82. correspondingly, the bin 40 is provided with a pair of upturned tabs 84 which are insertable through the semicircular portion 80 of the hole in the rack member 26c The combination of 40c and 260 may be suitably locked together by lateral displacement of the bin 40c relative to the rack member 26c. FIG. 5 also demonstrates that the interior portion of bin 40 may be suitably divided into several areas by means of permanent or removable partitions 86.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative in nature.

Iclaim:

1. A substantially enclosed container for carrying a plurality of bins of the type having a generally flat bottom and substantially upstanding front, 'rear and side walls; said container comprising a floor,a front wall, a rear wall and side walls joining front and rear walls; a rack member slidably insertable into said container proximate and parallel to said rear wall; means within said container for maintaining said rack member in said proximate and parallel disposition; said rack member carrying on the forward face thereof a plurality of vertically spaced bin support means each adapted to receive a bin in supported engagement therewith.

2. The container defined in claim 1 wherein said container carries on the outer face of said front wall at least one additional bin support means to provide convenient access to a particular bin normally carried within said container.

3. The container defined in claim 1 wherein said rack member includes an end portion disposed at. substantially a right angle thereto to form a cover for said container when said rack member is fullyslidably inserted into said container.

4. The container defined in claim 3 wherein said rack member includes a handle mounted on the upper surface of said end portion, and means for selectively locking said rack member to said container.

5. Container apparatus as described in claim I wherein said rack member has a gripping aperture formed therein adjacent the upper edge to facilitate removal of said rack member from said container.

6. In combination: a substantially enclosed container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, and sidewallsjoining said front and rear walls; a rack member slidably insertable into said container proximate and parallel to said rear wall; means Within said container for maintaining said rack member in said proximate and parallel disposition; said rack member carrying on the forward l'ace thereof a plurality of vertically spaced bin support means; and a plurality of bins supportedly disposed on said bin support means, each of said bins being of the type having a generally flat bottom, an upstanding rear wall, an upstanding front wall, andside walls joining said front and rear walls.

7. The container defined in claim 6 wherein said container carries on the outer face of said front wall at least one additional bin support means to provide convenient access to a particular bin normally carried within said container.

8. The container defined in claim 6 wherein said rack member includes an end portion dis oscd at substantially a right angle thereto to form a cover or said container when said rack member is fully slidably inserted into said container.

9. The container defined in claim 6 wherein said rack member includes a handle mounted on the upper surface of said end portion, and means for selectively locking said rack member to said container.

' 10. The combination'defined in claim 6 wherein each of said bin support means includes a horizontally extending bar spaced outwardly from said rack member and secured thereto by legs at opposite ends of said bar, and said bins are constructed such that the rear wall thereof defines a downwardly opening vertical slot extending laterally across said bin to receive said bar.

11. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein said bin support means and said additional bin support means includes a horizontally extending bar spaced outwardly from said rack member and secured thereto by legs at the opposite ends of said bar, and said bins are constructed such that the rear wall thereof defines a downwardly opening vertical slot extending laterally across said bin to receive said bar.

12. The combination defined in claim 6 wherein each of said bin support means includes a pair of L-shaped pins haV- ing upwardly directed portions spaced outwardly from said rack member, said bins being constructed to include a pair of holes in the bottoms thereof to receive said upwardly directed pin portions.

13. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein each of said bin support means and said additional bin support means includes a pair of L-sha-ped pins having upwardly directed portions spaced outwardly from said rack member, said bins being constructed to include a pair of holes in the bottoms thereof to receive said upwardly directed pin portions.

14. The combination defined in claim 6 wherein each of said bin support means includes at least a pair of laterally spaced apertures formed in said rack member, said bins having at least a pair of keys disposed on the rearward face of said rear wall and engageable'with said apertures and sald rack member.

15. The container defined in claim I further including selectively engageable means for maintaining said rack member in a partially withdrawn position relative to said container.

16. The container defined in claim 6 further including selectively engageable means for maintaining said rack member in a partially withdrawn position relative to said container. 

